Cold Facts Doctors

-Stuck up cow!

-Shh!

You can't wake up someone who hasn't got a pulse!

-Shut up, Mum!

-I'm not sneaking out like some criminal!

She never wanted us here in the first place.

-That's not true.

-Oh! Decided to show your face, have you?

Look, you don't have to go.

You thought she'd stay and keep you company, did you?

-Mum.

-I'm her family, not you.

She doesn't want to stick around you.

Not even cats would want to live with you!

Yes, well, even cats wouldn't be welcome if they peed on the carpet.

Wait for me outside.

-Your boyfriend's better off dead than being stuck with you!

-NOW, Mum!

Emma, I'm so sorry.

Why are you apologising? You're not responsible.

And you don't have to go.

I do. If I don't, she'll never make it.

You know you've always got a home here, don't you? No matter what?

Eesh!

-I'd better go.

-Take care.

-It's not the end of the world. I'll see you at work, yeah?

-Yeah.

I'm still on my way. No, I'm not going to be late.

I'm actually early.

I won't. I just want to check that everything's OK with my application.

It's fine, Mum. Please. She knows.

That's why she's agreed to sign it for me.

I've got to go. I love you.

-What was all the shouting about?

-I'll give you one guess.

Ayesha shouldn't have gone with her. It's never going to work.

You can't tell anyone that. It's family.

-Maybe I should have tried.

-And said what?

"Give up, your mum's hopeless." That would have gone down well!

-At least this way you gave them a chance.

-Not much of one.

It seems that my tolerance level isn't very high.

I think you were an actual saint!

And I'm not just saying that - I don't know anyone who would have done more for them.

Maybe.

Valerie!

You look... How are you?

Lucky to be here. The traffic's terrible.

-What happened to the magazines?

-We threw them out.

They were looking a bit tatty. Anthony's sorting some more.

Oh, I like reading the horoscopes.

I know they're all old but I like to see if anything came true.

-Are you sure you're ready to be back? You look...

-What?

Like you need a cup of tea.

I'll, erm...

I'll just go and make us one.

-Not here.

-Why? No-one will come in.

-They will soon.

-Not for ages.

-I can't stop thinking about how you were last night.

-Hmm.

Look, if this gets out my life won't be worth living.

It won't. Everyone else is doing it.

So? It doesn't matter. I'm a target.

You're gorgeous.

No, seriously. Harper's got it in for me.

-He's a stupid old man.

-He's a dangerous old man.

Get out!

You expect me to sleep on that?

I didn't know you were coming back, did I?

-You can chuck most of it.

-Can I?

-All right, I'll do it.

-No! You're just creating more mess.

-That's what I thought.

Look forward to seeing you. Bye-bye.

See? He just did it again.

Who are you talking about now?

Mr Toth. Just keeps staring.

Tell me honestly - is my wig on straight?

-It's fine, but since we're being honest...

-There she is!

You look...well...

Something's wrong. I look terrible - is that what everyone's saying?

-No!

-I didn't, no!

-Is it the shadows? Death shadows!

Don't be silly! I just think maybe you need a bit of lippy.

-What do you think?

-Absolutely!

-Mrs McEwing.

-It's just because you've been cooped up inside. Here.

-Is this the one you're wearing?

-Valerie, good to see you back!

It's good to be back. At least, now it is.

Sorry. Let's catch up later. Daniel's in, isn't he?

-Right, I'm off.

-You only just got here!

-I've got work, don't I?

-Why are we even bothering then?

-You'll be all right. Just go for a walk.

-A walk?

The best way to keep your mind off temptation is to keep it on something else.

The exercise will do you good.

And remember to eat. Is there any food?

-How should I know?

-So look!

If you need something, get it.

-That ain't going to get me much.

-Exactly.

Take it back. I never asked you anyway.

-You need to trust me more.

-And you need to try a bit harder.

We'll get there together, OK?

Excuse me, Colette?

You said you'd look at my application for the Halpenny.

-Leave it.

-Leave?

-No, I meant leave it on the desk.

-Sorry.

For a second I thought you might have changed your mind.

Excuse me?

Well, you said you'd check it but that was before I...you know.

Do you really think I'm that unprofessional?

No! I was just worried, because I know.

I won't tell anyone, though. In case you're concerned at all.

Lucy could do with a taxi home. Could you call one for me, please?

-If you could come and see us the same time next week.

-OK.

-Everything OK?

-Yes. Fine. Just a bit tired, that's all.

You all ready for the Student Union talk?

-Damn! I forgot to pick up the kit.

-Don't worry. They've got one there.

-Right. OK.

-Do you want some help?

No. It's fine. I can sort myself out.

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Come in.

You wanted to see me?

If it's about me being late again, I'm sorry.

We had a small clinic and I spoke to Tash and she was fine about it.

Was she? I'm still waiting for an explanation.

KNOCK ON DOOR

-Oh, sorry. I thought you were on your own!

-We'll talk later.

Is this a bad time?

I thought we should have a catch-up. I've missed our little chats.

As have I. As you can see I'm really rather busy...

It's been quite hard for me.

Most people don't really understand cancer.

-It must be a relief being back here.

-No, it's here I'm talking about!

You don't expect much from the patients,

but your fellow receptionists -

you'd think they would know better than to say you look like death!

No names mentioned.

I should have checked the schedule.

Made sure I was on with somebody more sympathetic.

Where is Mrs Tembe? She at the campus?

Or is it church business? She's got such a big heart.

-PHONE RINGS

-You know what? They take advantage of her.

I'm sorry, I really should take this.

Mrs Tembe no longer works here. You can ask Karen to fill you in on the details.

Hello, Anthony Harker. Yes, thank you for getting back to me.

KNOCK ON DOOR Hey, how's it going?

Fine. Just trying to catch up.

I won't keep you. I just want you to know I'm here.

-Thanks.

-So is Emma. PHONE RINGS

Hi.

Mr Brennock! Tell him I'll be right there.

-What's that?

-I completely forgot. I've got to go.

-OK.

GTP 325.

-I'm ready with the RGS4.

-In a minute.

I need more liquid nitrogen.

-I'm on it.

-Both of you.

-Go.

-OK.

Rach?

-Finished sulking yet? Come on, Rach!

-You could have warned me.

-You could have knocked!

It's my fault? Thanks very much!

OK, I'm sorry. I should have told you.

I don't want to know about your private life.

-My sex life, you mean.

-Shut up!

-Sorry.

-She won't even look at me.

-Because you freaked her out.

I was there to work! I have a right.

She's supposed to sign my application. It's due tomorrow.

Then she'll do it. Just give her a chance to cool down.

Look, you don't know the pressure she's under. Money's tight.

Any excuse, Harper will block her next Fellowship.

She confides in you? How is that fair?

I work like a dog to try and impress her and all you need to do is whisper in her ear.

-I do more than whisper!

-Great.

You're serious? Come on! There's no conflict!

How do I know? You could be applying for the same scholarships as I am.

I'm not in the same league. You know that. Stop stressing.

The way I see it, I get the girl as compensation.

-She's not a girl.

-That's true. That's very true.

She might seem frosty on the outside

but once you get to know her it's absolutely...

GAS HISSES

Turn it off!

-There's been an accident.

-What have you done? Is Neil all right?

-He's OK. I think he's OK.

-I'm all right. It missed me.

Let me see.

My mask protected me from most of it.

-We need to get you to a doctor.

-I just said I'm all right!

Irrelevant. This is protocol.

Hi, Jimmi. No, I'm on my way back.

The talk at the Student Union was cancelled.

He has to go to A & E? Well, do we even know if he's registered?

No. Fine! It's not like I've got anything else I'd like to do.

I suppose you'd like me to check on the lab rats while I'm there?

Have any results come in for Mrs Talbot?

Unless anything else has changed without people telling me, you should have received an e-mail.

Oh, sorry. I'll double-check.

-If and when Nurse Lee calls in, put her through to me.

-Is there a problem?

I've had two calls from patients saying she hasn't shown up.

Right, do you want me to give her a ring?

-Why? Is something going on?

-Yes, is there?

Sorry, could we just...

As you know, she had some problems this morning but she has caught up

and that's why I asked her to check on a patient for me.

And what patient would that be?

Mary...is her first name.

I'd have to check the computer for her second name.

Why don't I give her a call, see how they're getting on?

-You do that.

-OK.

PHONE RINGS

They're saying because it's a cold burn you have to go to A & E.

Obviously, they're going to be disappointed.

Why are you being so obstructive?

I don't know. Maybe because of protocol?

-Seriously? Are you really going to do this now?

-Do what?

What was that little stunt you pulled? Sending us both downstairs?

-That is standard university procedure.

-What a load of bull.

As your supervisor, I have to ensure all students are accompanied.

So formal all of a sudden!

Is that really all I am?

A student?

You don't seem to understand - there's going to be an enquiry.

-I could lose my funding.

-Nothing happened!

-But it could have done!

They are going to examine everything in absolutely fine detail.

Who's at fault? Why?

One of you made a mistake, or both of you.

-Not me! I...I was...

-Excuse me? You turned on the valve.

-You didn't put the hose in properly.

-Because I wasn't ready!

In case you've forgotten, you were pretty upset.

I suppose that will come out as well?

Because it's pretty unfair, me getting all that personal supervision.

Rachel was just pointing that out.

Hi. I'm Dr Reid. I understand that somebody's been burned?

-What are you doing home?

-I forgot my charger.

I don't believe you.

Caught me! But look! I got food!

-Eesh, where are you going?

-Away from you.

But you're going to come back? Eesh?

Did any of it splash further on to your neck or chest?

-I don't think so.

-OK, let's just have a look.

-Is it possible to talk?

-Just a second.

I'm sorry about before.

It's not an issue.

In these sorts of environments

personalities clash and difficulties like this can happen.

-I didn't have any.

-But you were upset.

-Not with you.

I appreciate that. Obviously, I have to take responsibility.

So I have arranged for you both to change supervisors.

-What?

-Luckily, Stephen has agreed to take you both on.

But...my application.

You're talking about the Halpenny?

Yeah, It's unlikely he'll be able to process it at this late stage.

But of course there are other options - bursaries,

or perhaps you might consider a loan,

or maybe you could talk to your parents.

My parents didn't go to university. They don't understand.

All they see is the debt.

-I'm sorry. It's just so hard.

-I know.

It's been a difficult decision, but it's for the best.

Otherwise, today would have turned out much worse.

It doesn't look too bad but you'll have to go to A & E.

Seriously? Come on!

Cold burns needs to be investigated properly.

Is there someone who can go with you?

I don't know.

I suppose Rachel.

GAS HISSES

DISTORTED: Turn it off!

-Forgiven, am I?

-My phone's dead.

I suppose you're going to pack that.

It was just the one. It was nothing.

I haven't had just the one can since I was pregnant with Sierra!

That must have been hard for you.

Not with Sierra. Kept throwing up, didn't I?

-What about with me?

-Oh, you. You were as good as gold.

If I said I was sorry, would it make any difference?

How can I trust you, Mum?

Every time I leave you alone, you let us down.

I was better than I was before.

I got food. I even got you some fruit for your pudding!

-Yeah? What?

-What do you think?

# Four banana, three banana...

-Oh, no, don't!

-# Two banana one...

-Mum!

-# All bananas sitting in the bright warm sun... #

-You can't sing!

-Never stopped me before.

# Tra-la-la La-la-la-la... #

SHE LAUGHS

Those first few years with you were the happiest of my life.

Even when we had to live with Granny and Grandad?

Yeah, well, you could always wrap them round your little finger.

Dad even used to let you play in his precious car.

I'd be lucky if he'd give me a lift.

Is that why you started? Because of him?

Yeah, well...

When you don't get love at home, you find it with your friends.

I could have done better, though. They should have pushed me.

-Like you did, you mean?

-You're different.

You can take care of yourself.

-Hey, I'll make you some hot squash.

-I can't stay.

You've got to wait for your phone, don't you?

-I don't know what makes you think she'd be here.

-Then you suggest somewhere.

Rachel! ALARM SOUNDS

-What's that?

-Liquid nitrogen!

-Is it toxic?

If the valve is open, it releases a gas that displaces the oxygen.

-It needs time to dissipate.

-She ain't got time!

-No! Neil!

-OK. Go and phone 999. And take him with you.

No! Wait? No! Please stop! I have to go in there.

We can't just leave her.

I'm here to see Valerie Pitman. Where is she?

She's in the loo trying out a new lipstick. Don't say anything.

I thought that...this might be of interest.

Wow! She's going to love that!

Love what?

I got this little memento for you.

Is this your card?

-Memento? I'm not dead yet!

-Valerie!

Sorry. Bad choice of words, but...

Shame we can't wave the magic wand and hey, presto, the cancer's gone.

Oh, don't be like that. We're trying to make you happy.

Happy? Ha...

Why would I want to be reminded of what I've been through?

-I didn't mean to upset you, Val.

-Well, you have.

-Sorry.

-I think you're being a bit unfair.

He was just trying to be nice.

You know what? I'm actually sick of everyone trying to be nice.

"How are you, Valerie? How's the cancer, Valerie?

"We're so proud of the way you're handling it, Valerie!"

Everyone is just treating me like I'm one great big cancer cell!

I've had it all day - from the patients, from you, from you!

Cancer! Cancer! Cancer! I've just had enough!

You were the one who decided to tell everyone.

Yes, I did. And I really wish I hadn't!

-We could have saved her.

-We don't know that.

-We do!

-Happy now?

-Don't do this.

You made them take me away! Why?

-There'll be time for questions later.

-No. She needs to tell me now.

Why Rachel had to die like that.

-If you'd gone in there, you would have suffocated.

-Like she did?

We never listened.

-We just...

-Neil. Come on.

She was all alone.

No-one understood. She told me that.

I just... I laughed.

You didn't know.

I let her down.

We both did.

Come on.

Why did you go in?

What kind of a question is that? To save someone!

Except you knew she was probably already dead.

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-I need to talk to you.

-OK.

It's about that consultation you gave me all those months ago, when I asked you about my symptoms.

Another doctor would have known.

-Consultation?

-I have got witnesses I can call upon.

That wasn't a consultation, Valerie.

That was a conversation. I was talking to you as a friend.

You're a doctor. That conversation took place in your consulting room.

For goodness' sake, Valerie.

You gave me a diagnosis which I took comfort from and, as it turns out, I shouldn't have done.

No. I seem to recall that you raved at me with an array of symptoms

which most doctors would have dismissed as meaningless.

I listened to you and advised you to go and see your own GP.

-So you were trying to get rid of me?

-Valerie!

I know you're going through a difficult time but this

- whatever this is - it's not going to help.

I just want some answers.

Yeah, of course you do. That's only natural.

Look, sometimes, when things happen to us,

our need to find an explanation for it leads us to associate meaning

to things where there just isn't any.

If something really great happens we'll say it's down to good luck.

Or, conversely, if we're going through a really difficult,

sticky patch, we look for something to blame.

Someone to blame.

Neither of those things, be it luck or blame, is right.

Life is random. There are no explanations.

It's part of the human condition to come to terms with that.

Yeah?

Look, I'm going to keep hold of this photograph because I really like it.

When you want it, you come and get it off me. OK?

PHONE RINGS

-Here we go.

-CLEARS THROAT

There was a problem with my phone but I'm on my way now.

Don't bother. I've arranged Tash to cover for you now.

But tomorrow is a new day and I expect you here on time with no more excuses.

This is your final warning. Do you understand?

Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow.

So, skiving, are we?

I'm off for lunch, then St Phil's for the rest of the day.

Is that in the diary?

Things really have changed around here.

They certainly have.

I'm going to pop out while I can. Do you want to come with?

No. I need to get myself organised.

OK, Do you want me to bring you back something yummy?

I can't eat dairy or carbohydrate

-but animal fats are OK.

-Animal fats.

Hello. Yes. I would like to speak to somebody about medical malpractice.

Thank you.

What if I became a partner?

-A spa?

-Would you like to go?

My daughter. She has gone missing.

-Valerie is accusing me of malpractice.

-That's ridiculous.

Yasmin is missing and I think you know what has happened to her.